Fianna Fáil Árd Fhéis - Big promises betray FF’s election fears

PRUDENCE went out the window at the Fianna Fáil Árd Fhéis on Saturday as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern embarked on an auction spree.

Wooing voters with a tax bonanza, a promise of 2,000 extra gardaí on the beat, a bunch of PRSI carrots, and a juicy pension sweetener aimed at the grey vote, he has kick-started the party’s election campaign.

There was an ironic ring to his message, however, as Finance Minister Brian Cowen was busy accusing the Opposition parties of indulging in auction politics.